|
Fannie Bay Gaol is regarded as one of the most important heritage sites in Darwin. The rich historical legacy of Darwin clearly reflects at the site. The site was the functional as the prison during Her Majesty's regime. The site served as the Labor prison from from 20 September 1883 until 1 September 1979. The original complex consists of two different blocks namely Block A and Block B. Each of these buildings consisted of six cells along with a kitchen for cooking and a wash house for cleaning purposes. A hospital as a medical aid was added to the structure in 1887 with the gallows installed for execution purpose. The last execution took place at the Gaol and the territory as well in 1952. The female ward was added as a separate cell to the Gaol in 1928 along with a 'watch tower' an interesting 'native section' for the local Aboriginal prisoners, a kitchen mess building, remand section and two maximum security wings during the 1950s. The last execution at the Gaol took place in 1952 when when Jerry Coci and Jonus Nopoty, two Romanian immigrants were convicted for the murder of a taxi driver and were hanged till death. The gallows in the Gaol were purposefully constructed for the execution purpose only. The floor was dug up to make a pit at one end of the building with the brick walls constructed to support the beam. For the execution part a small trapdoor was built and the flight steps were laid down. The bodies would drop into the pit as the trapdoor would open. The prisoners were kept in wire cages before the execution. Presently the Fannie Bay Gaol has developed as a major tourist attraction of Darwin the gallows are open to public visit and the visitors can have the experience of pulling the lever operating the trap. The prison was partially damaged in 1974 during the Cyclone Tracy.
|
